What is the Reel Optimism Video Contest?
It is the third annual video contest for Optimist Clubs and Members to represent their experience of being an Optimist in a creative and powerful way.

Topic
"Optimists bring out the best..."

Who is eligible to participate?
All Clubs are encouraged to participate, but only Junior Optimist Octagon International and Optimist International Clubs in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean are eligible to receive a Club grant.

2015 Contest Categories

Adult Clubs"30 Second Challenge" – a short piece about how Optimists brings out the best in you, your Club, your community, etc. Submissions by adult Clubs.

February 16 - April 15, 2015Members and Clubs submit videos following the submission guidelines.

May 1, 2015 Finalists announced and voting will be opened to the public.

May 15, 2015 Public voting ends.

June 1, 2015 Top vote-receivers in each category will be notified.

July 5-11, 2015 Winning videos will be announced during the 2015 JOOI International and Optimist International Conventions in New Orleans and Clubs will be invited on stage to receive their Club grant.

Entries will be judged based on original content, creativity, composition, story quality and the extent to which the topic question was answered. All types of submissions are encouraged!

Video judging criteria

30 Second Challenge
1. Club name should be stated or included visually on title page or crawler within first five seconds of video.

2. Visuals used and script should utilize the theme to express how Optimists bring out the best in an individual Club or community.

3. Viewers should clearly understand how entrant believes Optimists bring out the best by the completion of the video.

4. Finalists will be chosen by a committee of Optimist International leaders using the following categories: (a) Club name at beginning of video (10 points);
(b) Explanation/utilization of theme (10 points);
(c) Use of visuals, visual effects (10 points);
(d) Creativity (10 points);
(e) Clear storyline and flow of video (10 points);
(f) Use of time (10 points).

Club Showcase Videos
1. Club name should be stated or included visually on title page or crawler within first five seconds of video.

2. Video should follow a storyline to outline how the Club project demonstrates how Optimists bring out the best.

3. This is not a “how to” video but should rather explain who the project impacts, what the project does, how the Club chose it and why the Club continues to conduct the project.

4. Viewers should be able to understand how the Club believes this project helps Optimists bring out the best and in what way.

5. Finalists will be chosen by a committee using the following categories:
(a) Club name at beginning of video (10 points);
(b) Explanation/utilization of theme (10 points);
(c) Use of visuals, visual effects (10 points);
(d) Creativity (10 points);
(e) Clear storyline and flow of video (10 points);
(f) Use of time (10 points);
(g) Name of project is clearly stated or explained via text visual (10 points).

Tips

1. Outline your video before you begin filming. This is about telling a story, so use the script of the video and visuals to help you along the way.

2. Use spoken words carefully. There is nothing that says someone must be speaking every second of the video.

3. If you do not have a microphone, make sure the individual speaking is close to the camera.

4. Watch the light. If your source of light is behind the subjects in the video it may be difficult to see them. Try instead to make sure the light is on the subjects.

5. Don't be afraid to be creative.

6. Use different voices to tell your story. Having a narrator is great but also consider talking to a child you are impacting, the chair of the project, etc.

7. Get as many of your Club Members involved as possible.

8. Contact your local library, college or high school and speak to their journalism, marketing, technology or media class for help editing your video.

9. Have a member of your local media come talk to your Club about how they put together a story for the news.

10. Practice! Videos are a great way to share what your Club does. You can use them on a website or your club's Facebook page even if you don't submit them into the contest.